Steve Kornacki, the beloved NBC News political correspondent known for his tireless Election Day coverage and encyclopedic grasp of voter trends, recently reflected on the latest election results and what they might mean for the political landscape ahead of the 2026 midterms. In a wide-ranging interview following a late night at the data board, Kornacki discussed surprises from this year's races, shifts in voter demographics, and the ongoing influence of Donald Trump on American politics.
**Unexpected Results in New Jersey**
One of the most striking outcomes for Kornacki was the New Jersey governor’s race. Democratic nominee Mikie Sherrill won by a margin of over 13 points—significantly higher than many, including both Democratic and Republican insiders, had anticipated. Kornacki recounted conversations with Democrats who were openly worried about Sherrill’s campaign performance, expecting a much closer contest or even a potential loss. Contrary to those fears, Sherrill’s decisive win suggests a robust Democratic showing in areas previously considered more contested.
Kornacki pointed out that in New Jersey, the political climate seems to have shifted since 2021, when Republican Jack Ciattarelli nearly pulled off an upset by performing strongly in suburban, college-educated areas that were generally unfriendly to Trump. With Trump now back in the White House, these voters once again showed their aversion to him, swinging heavily back to the Democrats. This return to Democratic dominance in key suburbs indicates that Trump’s presence on the national stage continues to galvanize opposition among certain voter blocs.
**Analyzing New York and the Rise of Zohran Mamdani**
Turning to New York, Kornacki examined the historic election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor. Mamdani’s support mirrored previous primary results, with overwhelming victories in progressive, younger, and highly educated neighborhoods like Park Slope, while more conservative, majority-Jewish areas such as Borough Park remained solidly in the opposing camp. Kornacki noted that these patterns demonstrate both the opportunities and limitations for candidates like Mamdani, whose appeal is strong among younger, diverse, and progressive voters but faces resistance in more traditional constituencies.
**Shifts in the Democratic and Republican Bases**
Kornacki discussed broader trends visible in both New York and New Jersey, highlighting the realignment of the two parties’ bases. He pointed to the significant gains Trump made among Hispanic voters in places like Hudson County in 2024, but noted that in this latest round of elections, the Democratic margin there rebounded to its pre-Trump levels. This suggests that while Trump was able to build a multiracial coalition during his presidency, it is unclear whether this represents a lasting Republican shift or simply a “Trump phenomenon” that does not easily translate to other candidates.
One key observation from Kornacki was that, despite Republican hopes, there is little evidence that the GOP has permanently expanded its appeal in these diverse areas without Trump himself on the ballot. Instead